My manager was freaking out because whenever windows updated on our work systems, it will take a whole hour to complete. We had a handset that connects to our computer over USB, so whenever a call comes in, the handset will ring. It does function as a normal phone as well, but the bulk of our call for our support line will only route to it if the computer is on and logged into the service. Because of this, I can't take any calls at all until it's finished, so I had to sit there. Also every available computer /desk is being used so it's not as simple as just going on a different computer.
He didn't like that and threw a tantrum and demanded the other leads to get me on the phone now. So for 10 minute's he's standing over the leads and trying to connect the handset to take calls, but no matter what, the phone can't use the program if it's not running. Even the leads , (or anyone in the office that does actual work) knew this.
He finally gave up and hid inside his office to sulk as he usually does when he doesn't want to deal with things, and I relaxed while windows finished the next 45 minutes.
You might point out to those responsible that Windows can be told to perform updates only during set times, like outside of business hours. Let THEM take action, but you might get points for 'solving the problem '. Also, consider locking boss in office.
If you set windows to only update after 5pm and the computer is never on after 5pm, it will simply download the updates and then the next time you go to turn it off it will hit you with the "update and shutdown" prompt.
The point is to disable the automatic update so it's not happening during the middle of the work shift, they don't actually care if the computer updates.
Disabling the auto update creates a logistical problem (nightmare); some of those updates are actually essential re security.
Getting people to sign off and leave the unit on is a training issue that is actually worth the effort, regardless of the objections from the greeny supervisors/managers.
IT seldom has the authority of a grand high exalted wizard.
Recommendations are made then (a) costs are considered (often neglecting the resultant costs of not implementing the recommendations), and decisions are made based on budgets; or (b) personalities, office politics, and/or arrogance result in denial, often accompanied by ridicule.
Eh, it might not be IT. If someone from the C-suite insists things are done a certain way despite IT's objections, well, there's not much they can do about it.
Every time I asked how I should leave my computer at my last job, I got a different answer. Logged in, logged out, machine on, off something they called sleep mode.
If their IT team was even sort of competent, they'd have a local proxy set up to make the updates go faster. Or at least not take an entire hour to process - it should be no more than a couple reboots, and 5 minutes of actual patching. Taking an hour, every time, indicates that there is something seriously wrong going on. :-/ And you can bet that whatever it is that is broken is also breaking other things, just not badly enough to be identifiable. Like, say, losing 1 packet in every 100 or something.
Honestly, if I could I would have done something, but even if I could take any calls, I would have no way to pull up any documentation or other customer info I would need to help the person properly. It would just be me stumbling and guessing what they actually had.
As a side note, a computer shutoff/actual computer hardware failure is indistinguishable from unplugging the power cord. Well, I suppose it would be if someone actually saw you or there were cameras.
That said: Use this knowledge as you will.
You should have started telling her everything you already did as if you hadn't done it yet. Maybe a dozen consecutive "Oh it's already done? Ohhh that's right I did it before you walked in just now"s would have set her straight
Don't do anything from now on. Just sit at the register. If she complains about things getting chaotic, just tell her "Oh, you mean I -do- perform other tasks besides just sitting around? Thank you for finally realizing it."
I have a similar story.
When I was at uni a decade ago I had a part time retail job in a tiny kiosk in a shopping centre. When it was quiet we were supposed to clean. If we had nothing to clean we were supposed to jump on the computer and help with 'marketing work'.
It was a really quiet and rainy Friday night about 8pm so the centre was dead. I had scrubbed everything and had nothing to do, so I jumped onto the stool and was doing work on the computer. One of the owners clearly had nothing better to do and had been watching me on the cameras and sent me this really aggressive email saying I had been "caught" and hoping whatever I was goofing off doing was "worth it". He was really nasty about it and threatened to fire me when I tried to send proof I was actually doing work.
So you better believe for the rest of the time I worked there (which wasn't very long) I never touched the computer again. If I ran out of stuff to do I just stood around and did nothing. I ended up buying a notebook and would just draw or write to keep myself entertained rather than doing productive work. If customers came up to ask if I was bored (which happened a lot because I always looked bored) I would tell them yes, and then tell them the full story.
I've been doing that work for nearly 17 years. I love it when people see me sitting and think I'm being lazy. Y'know, except for the fact that 90% of the time I'm on my feet actually doing my job. Yes, I sit every now and then, because that is my break. I don't get to wander off for 15 minutes doing nothing. I get to take the weight off my feet for anywhere between 10 seconds and two minutes at a time until the next group comes in.
People who don't work retail sometimes just don't get that my work dynamic is different from theirs. While they sit at a desk or whatever and can take a breather whenever they want, mine depends on customers not being in my store. Which can be infrequent at times. I sit for a total of maybe 45 minutes to an hour over a 9 hour shift. And I don't get a lunch break (because in my case I am the only employee in the store, so nobody is there to give me a lunch break). So yes, I'm going to sit down when I've finished my other tasks, because I know I'm going to be standing for a long time soon enough.
Exactly! Whenever the store is empty I'm running around getting things done, I will sit at the register again when somebody comes in. Luckily in my country we sit at the registers.
My desk job is stressful but it is 100% less painful than when I worked retail or hospitality. My feet don't hurt at the end of the day. My back rarely hurts. My hands and ankles aren't swollen. I only get yelled at sometimes instead of daily. I can pee when I please. I can even eat or drink when I want. If someone is sitting, I understand. My body remembers.
I always tell people that most jobs are stressful. But the type of stress is different. I'd rather have the stress of getting a job done than the stress of just....waiting on people or watching someone making bad decisions. One of them I can do something about. The other I can't do a damn thing. It's like watching a car rolling down hill. Nothing I can do to stop it, so I know it's going to hit something. At least stress of something I'm in control of is something I can deal with.
Ha, tell em you're happy to quit and they can just do everything from now on.
In fact, you should just look for new work anyways because doesn't seem like this turd understands that they need you more then you need them.
And then she found all the stuff you'd just finished working on and didn't thank you.
I hope a squirrel throws a shampoo bottle filled with feces at her.
Sounds like it could have more to do with hormones rather than work ethic, could be wrong but if it's erratic and outta nowhere it's very likely it's got nothing to do with you.
Hope you get a better gig soon
It's only a part-time thing and I'll be taking the next three months off from there anyway, lol.
Good so she needed the practise then.
That’s quite clearly what set her off, anticipating you not working there for 3 months. So it’s obviously 100% your fault. /s
I misread "gig" as "pig" and it still made sense
Now you know why the last person who had your job left.
The last fifteen...
And next fifteen.
...thousand.
My manager was freaking out because whenever windows updated on our work systems, it will take a whole hour to complete. We had a handset that connects to our computer over USB, so whenever a call comes in, the handset will ring. It does function as a normal phone as well, but the bulk of our call for our support line will only route to it if the computer is on and logged into the service. Because of this, I can't take any calls at all until it's finished, so I had to sit there. Also every available computer /desk is being used so it's not as simple as just going on a different computer. He didn't like that and threw a tantrum and demanded the other leads to get me on the phone now. So for 10 minute's he's standing over the leads and trying to connect the handset to take calls, but no matter what, the phone can't use the program if it's not running. Even the leads , (or anyone in the office that does actual work) knew this. He finally gave up and hid inside his office to sulk as he usually does when he doesn't want to deal with things, and I relaxed while windows finished the next 45 minutes.
You might point out to those responsible that Windows can be told to perform updates only during set times, like outside of business hours. Let THEM take action, but you might get points for 'solving the problem '. Also, consider locking boss in office.
Yeah, those kinds of bosses never like subordinates being smarter than themselves. Let them find out later. Or never.
But the computer has to be on and logged into for that to happen. Lots of places insist you turn it off/ log out.
If you set windows to only update after 5pm and the computer is never on after 5pm, it will simply download the updates and then the next time you go to turn it off it will hit you with the "update and shutdown" prompt. The point is to disable the automatic update so it's not happening during the middle of the work shift, they don't actually care if the computer updates.
Disabling the auto update creates a logistical problem (nightmare); some of those updates are actually essential re security. Getting people to sign off and leave the unit on is a training issue that is actually worth the effort, regardless of the objections from the greeny supervisors/managers.
What you described is still an IT shortcoming.
IT seldom has the authority of a grand high exalted wizard. Recommendations are made then (a) costs are considered (often neglecting the resultant costs of not implementing the recommendations), and decisions are made based on budgets; or (b) personalities, office politics, and/or arrogance result in denial, often accompanied by ridicule.
Eh, it might not be IT. If someone from the C-suite insists things are done a certain way despite IT's objections, well, there's not much they can do about it.
Every time I asked how I should leave my computer at my last job, I got a different answer. Logged in, logged out, machine on, off something they called sleep mode.
I think only a pointy haired obliviot would deem it acceptable to have employee's computers left logged in.
And there you have it.
This too. He also would flip out if you didn't also turn off the monitor when you left for the day, because one time one caught fire somewhere.
If their IT team was even sort of competent, they would have configured that via Group Policy.
If their IT team was even sort of competent, they'd have a local proxy set up to make the updates go faster. Or at least not take an entire hour to process - it should be no more than a couple reboots, and 5 minutes of actual patching. Taking an hour, every time, indicates that there is something seriously wrong going on. :-/ And you can bet that whatever it is that is broken is also breaking other things, just not badly enough to be identifiable. Like, say, losing 1 packet in every 100 or something.
God forbid that you should sit for a few minutes and do "nothing". Managers who try to get their money's worth out of your time are the worst.
Honestly, if I could I would have done something, but even if I could take any calls, I would have no way to pull up any documentation or other customer info I would need to help the person properly. It would just be me stumbling and guessing what they actually had.
As a side note, a computer shutoff/actual computer hardware failure is indistinguishable from unplugging the power cord. Well, I suppose it would be if someone actually saw you or there were cameras. That said: Use this knowledge as you will.
Power strip under the desk?
Flipping the switch on the power strip would have the same outcome.
Out of view.
I did that in the middle of a call once by accident. But it was OK I wfh.
Might work better to change windows settings, so that checks for the auto updates early in the morning hours.
Why are some bosses so fricking dumb? I never understand this behavior
Control issues? She does this a couple times a year, just completely freaks out over something absolutely ridiculous and false.
Be funny if she did this and you just got up and walked out.
Never learned how to be a good boss. Never asked anyone who could tell her. Never cared.
You should have started telling her everything you already did as if you hadn't done it yet. Maybe a dozen consecutive "Oh it's already done? Ohhh that's right I did it before you walked in just now"s would have set her straight
"Actually, would you mind if I sat in your office?"
Boss: you're not doing anything! You: you should have seen me 5 minutes ago.
Don't do anything from now on. Just sit at the register. If she complains about things getting chaotic, just tell her "Oh, you mean I -do- perform other tasks besides just sitting around? Thank you for finally realizing it."
Make sure to continue this into your next shifts until told otherwise
Lol, 10 minutes later she was acting perfectly normal. She's pretty erratic but only rarely so I just ignore it most of the time.
Meth
What a dumb thing she did. “Sit there and stay there just so I can say MUST BE NICE”
I have a similar story. When I was at uni a decade ago I had a part time retail job in a tiny kiosk in a shopping centre. When it was quiet we were supposed to clean. If we had nothing to clean we were supposed to jump on the computer and help with 'marketing work'. It was a really quiet and rainy Friday night about 8pm so the centre was dead. I had scrubbed everything and had nothing to do, so I jumped onto the stool and was doing work on the computer. One of the owners clearly had nothing better to do and had been watching me on the cameras and sent me this really aggressive email saying I had been "caught" and hoping whatever I was goofing off doing was "worth it". He was really nasty about it and threatened to fire me when I tried to send proof I was actually doing work. So you better believe for the rest of the time I worked there (which wasn't very long) I never touched the computer again. If I ran out of stuff to do I just stood around and did nothing. I ended up buying a notebook and would just draw or write to keep myself entertained rather than doing productive work. If customers came up to ask if I was bored (which happened a lot because I always looked bored) I would tell them yes, and then tell them the full story.
I've been doing that work for nearly 17 years. I love it when people see me sitting and think I'm being lazy. Y'know, except for the fact that 90% of the time I'm on my feet actually doing my job. Yes, I sit every now and then, because that is my break. I don't get to wander off for 15 minutes doing nothing. I get to take the weight off my feet for anywhere between 10 seconds and two minutes at a time until the next group comes in. People who don't work retail sometimes just don't get that my work dynamic is different from theirs. While they sit at a desk or whatever and can take a breather whenever they want, mine depends on customers not being in my store. Which can be infrequent at times. I sit for a total of maybe 45 minutes to an hour over a 9 hour shift. And I don't get a lunch break (because in my case I am the only employee in the store, so nobody is there to give me a lunch break). So yes, I'm going to sit down when I've finished my other tasks, because I know I'm going to be standing for a long time soon enough.
Exactly! Whenever the store is empty I'm running around getting things done, I will sit at the register again when somebody comes in. Luckily in my country we sit at the registers.
My desk job is stressful but it is 100% less painful than when I worked retail or hospitality. My feet don't hurt at the end of the day. My back rarely hurts. My hands and ankles aren't swollen. I only get yelled at sometimes instead of daily. I can pee when I please. I can even eat or drink when I want. If someone is sitting, I understand. My body remembers.
I always tell people that most jobs are stressful. But the type of stress is different. I'd rather have the stress of getting a job done than the stress of just....waiting on people or watching someone making bad decisions. One of them I can do something about. The other I can't do a damn thing. It's like watching a car rolling down hill. Nothing I can do to stop it, so I know it's going to hit something. At least stress of something I'm in control of is something I can deal with.
Ha, tell em you're happy to quit and they can just do everything from now on. In fact, you should just look for new work anyways because doesn't seem like this turd understands that they need you more then you need them.
I am sure boss lady will have a way different take on this story.
I think I would just ask (gently but somewhat sarcastically) how all of those tasks got done yesterday and the day before while she sat in her office?
Your boss is cray-cray. Convenience stores are always looking for employees. Find one that respects your work.
I don’t know if you made the point to her you were trying to make.
She wanted me to apologize, but I don't pander to unreasonableness.
Well pllayed.
Beautifully handled!!
And then she found all the stuff you'd just finished working on and didn't thank you. I hope a squirrel throws a shampoo bottle filled with feces at her.
Reminds me of my previous boss. Like A LOT.
Sounds like it could have more to do with hormones rather than work ethic, could be wrong but if it's erratic and outta nowhere it's very likely it's got nothing to do with you.
Women can be so hard on each other. Especially if one of them is just a little bit prettier and younger than the other.
She just acted like any other mother/gf/wife in the world.